Shelf-support for pianos.



S. W. WIDNEY.

SHELF SUPPORT FOR PIANOS.

APPLICATION FILED MAB. 10 1913. 1,102,375 Patented July 7, 1914.

mused THE NORRIS PETERS CD., PHOTO-LITHQ. WASHINGTON. D. C:

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

STANLEY W. WIDNEY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

SHELF-SUPPORT FOR PIANOS.

tensively used which employ a shelf above and extending full length of the key-bed and forming a foot-support for the music and also a cover for the fall-board when in retracted position. Owing to the considerable length of the board forming this shelf it has heretofore been necessary to reinforce the same against sagging or warping which would prevent the retraction of the fallboard there beneath. Heretofore it has been customary to effect this reinforcement by a comparatively heavy wooden cleat secured to the under side of the rear edge portion of the shelf throughout substantially the full length of the latter.

The object of my present invention is to provide an efficient and economical substitute for this cleat reinforcement which shall be more effective and shall involve but a small fraction of the cost thereof.

My invention, its mode of use, and its advantageswill be readily understood when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective sectional elevation of so much of a piano construction as is necessary to make clear the structure and application of my present improvement. Fig. 2 is a detail elevation of one form of my shelf brace. Fig. 3 is a similar elevation of a modified form of brace and attachment therefor to the shelf. Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross-section through the upper end of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a simplified modification of the connection shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

Referring to the drawing, 10 designates the keyboard, 11 the keys, 12 and 13 the hinged members, respectively, of the fallboard, 14 the music-supporting shelf beneath which the fall-board folds back, and 15 the front frame or panel. The shelf 14 consists of a single board extending the full length of the keyboard of the instrument and here Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed March 10, 1913.

Patented July '7, 1914.

Serial No. 753,240.

tofore supported at its ends only. As hereinabove mentioned, in order to prevent danger of the sagging or warping of said shelf to such an extent as to prevent the free back folding movement of the fallboard therebeneath, it has been customary to attach a stout wooden cleat to the under side of the rear edge portion of the shelf extending substantially the full length thereof. By my presentinvention I dispense entirely with this cleat and employ, in lieu thereof, a strut brace preferably in the form of a metal rod 16 that is attached at its upper end to the rear edge of the shelf 14 and its lower end screwed into the key-bed board 10, passing between the keys 11; for which purpose the lower portion of the brace rod 16 has a screw formation 17.

In the forms shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the upper end of the rod 16 is provided with an integral flattened rectangular extension 18 formed with a hole 19 by which it may be readily secured to the upper surface of the rear edge portion of the shelf 14 as by a screw 20. as indicated in Fig. 1.

A modified mode of attachment is shown in Figs. 3 and 4 wherein the angular extension 18 is dispensed with, and the upper portion of the rod 16 is flattened, as shown at 21, and aperture to engage a pin 22 driven into the rear edge of the shelf 14. The outer portion of the pin 22 is threaded and receives a wing-nut 23 that securely clamps the upper end of the rod 16 to the rear edge of the shelf 14.

Fig. 5 represents a simplified form of Figs. 3 and 4 wherein a plain pin 24 is driven into the rear edge of the shelf 14 and the apertured upper end of the rod 16 is simply sprung over the projecting end of the pin.

The strut brace described is applied at or near the longitudinal center of the shelf 14 and readily prevents any bowing or sagging of the latter. It occupies only otherwise unused space in the instrument and does not interfere at all with any parts of the piano action. The device is much lighter than the cleat heretofore used for the same purpose and involves but a small fraction of the expense of the latter.

To meet the different ideas of different manufacturers I have invented the three forms of attachment of the brace to the shelf shown and described, all serving the same purpose. Figs. 3 and 4 and Fig. 5 show a form which can be applied to the rear edge of the shelf and will not show. The form shown in Fig. 5 has no nut to positively fasten the upper end of the brace to the shelf and hold it secure, as some manufacturers insist that such positive fastening device is unnecessary, and that the brace member can be sprung onto the pin and will retain its firm position against the edge of the shelf. This type is obviously easier to install and take out, as well as less expensive, as compared with the construction of Figs. 3 and 4.

I claim- 1. In a piano, the combination with the key-bed, and music-supporting shelf, of a brace for said shelf secured at its upper end to the latter and at its lower end to the key-bed. 2. In a piano, the combination with the key-bed, keys, and music-supporting shelf, of a brace for said shelf consisting of a rod secured at its upper end to said shelf and at its lower end to said key-bed and extending between the keys.

3. In a piano, the combination with the key-bed, keys, and music-supporting shelf, of a brace for said shelf consisting of a metal rod secured at its upper end to said shelf,

having a threaded outer end portion projecting from the rear edge of said shelf, a metal rod having a lower end portion of screw formation screwed into said key-bed and an upper end formed with an eye engaging said pin, and a securing nut on the threaded outer end of said pin clamping the upper end of said rod against the rear edge of said shelf.

STANLEY W. WIDNEY.

Witnesses:

SAMUEL N. Pom), EDMUND G. Inonnsom- Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patent-l Washington, D. 0.

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